Community Service Programs
Founded in 1890, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The Burlington Woman's Club (BWC) has been a part of GFWC since 1938, living the Volunteer Spirit in Alamance County.
GFWC provides leadership and resources to assist local clubs in planning projects organized into five areas of focus, our Community Service Programs.
Programs
GFWC programs focus attention on the major issues of our time: preserving natural resources, promoting literacy and equality, encouraging appreciation of the arts and cultural diversity, and becoming involved with our local community.
Community
We are all part of many communities- extended family, neighborhood, city, county, and state, the United States, and the global society. BWC members are committed to working together with others to improve the lives of everyone.
Service
GFWC clubwomen are true volunteers in action with an impressive history of accomplishments. Even when resources are limited, we find creative solutions for volunteer service.
Arts and Culture Community Service Program
This Community Service Program is designed to inspire clubwomen and ignite within them a desire to make the world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and caring place. Arts and culture are essential to our quality of life!
The study of art and culture enriches the human experience. Art education improves problem solving and critical thinking skills, builds focus and perseverance, and nurtures creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Cultural awareness promotes effective communication and profoundly increases the ability to appreciate and enjoy a variety of new people and experiences.
GFWC-NC Arts Festival competitions
The General Federation of Women's Clubs in North Carolina (GFWC-NC) presents an annual Arts Festival including competitions in a number of visual arts and photography categories for students and for clubwomen. BWC sponsors a competition in January for Alamance County students in grades 6 through 12. Winners are entered into the District and State GFWC-NC competitions.
Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program
The GFWC Civic Engagement and Outreach Community Service Program reminds members that each of us is a part of a larger society and is responsible for undertaking actions that will create a better quality of life and foster a sense of community; locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
The four "broad strokes" of this effort include:
1) Citizenship;
2) Crime Prevention, Safety, and Disaster Preparedness;
3) The Needy, Hungry, and Homeless; and
4) Our Military Personnel and Veterans.
Education and Libraries Community Service Program
Projects in this Community Service Program are designed to support schools and other educational opportunities, and promote libraries, literacy, and the love of a good book. Education has been a cornerstone of GFWC. Our founder, Jane Cunningham Croly formed the General Federation of Women's Clubs "to support clubs throughout the nation and further their efforts at providing education, improved working conditions, health care, scholarships, and other reforms."
ESO
Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all GFWC club members. Through ESO, clubwomen are given direction in planned reading for self-enrichment and personal growth. Many GFWC clubwomen have profited from this unique self-improvement program, seen as vital by the members it directly benefits. ESO provides clubwomen with a structured reading program that is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement.
The motto of ESO is "Enlighten Your Own Pathway".
Its purpose is to provide club women with a structured reading program to promote educational pursuits and stimulate a desire for self-improvement.
ESO has helped many members learn to read out of their comfort zone and discover new authors and new genres.
Scholarships!
Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship
Announced in the fall for a high school senior who will be attending a 4-year college in North Carolina.
The winner is given the opportunity to compete for additional scholarships at district and state levels of the General Federation of Women's Clubs North Carolina (GFWC-NC).
BWC Scholarships
Offered in the Spring to Alamance Burlington School System (ABSS) students.
Environment Community Service Program
The GFWC Environment Community Service Program encourages us to become stewards of the earth by working to preserve the world's resources, protect wildlife and domesticated animals, live sustainably, and beautify our communities and enjoy nature.
The environment is everything that makes up our surroundings and affects our ability to live on the earth, the air we breathe,the water that covers most of its surface, all flora and fauna, and the soil, minerals, and fossil fuels that exist within its crust. The environment continually changes through natural ecological processes and as a result of human actions. We strive to educate members about the importance of beautifying, maintaining and restoring our most precious resources through the implementation of projects in our local communities.
Health and Wellness Community Service Program
The human body, mind, and spirit comprise our health and wellness.
This Community Service Program is designed to inform members of issues that affect the well being of individuals, families, and communities.
To improve our well being, we must address three key components:
1) Nutrition,
2) Disease prevention, and
3) Physical and emotional care.
The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being." Wellness has been described as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is a dynamic process of change and growth.